At the 2014 Academy Awards, Matthew McConaughey won a Best Actor trophy for his performance as an AIDS patient in “Dallas Buyer’s Club.” His acceptance speech, which drew mixed reactions from the audience, was a touching tribute. He thanked God first and foremost.

He has graced my life with opportunities that I know are not of my hand or any other human hand. He has shown me that it’s a scientific fact that gratitude reciprocates. In the words of the late Charlie Lawton, who said, ‘When you got God, you got a friend, and that friend is you.’

It’s been noted that God is rarely thanked in Oscar acceptance speeches. The Daily Caller found that, in the past decade, Meryl Streep has been thanked more often. Most thanked is the Academy, followed by spouses, families, and agents.

This carefully prepared speech was a lovely change of pace. And although the audience may not have appreciated McConaughey’s tribute – in fact, Woody Allen got more applause – you can certainly bet that people watching at home across the country appreciated his gesture.